JULY 22, 2004
Phillies, Eagles engage in extra-inning fest at East side rec
By MICHAEL LEWIS - mlewis@poststar.com

ERIN R. COKER - THE POST-STAR Glens Falls’ Jim Jansen got the start against the Saratoga Phillies on Wednesday night at East Side Rec in Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- The Glens Falls Golden Eagles and the Saratoga Phillies don't mind playing late into the night when they have to.

The teams were still playing in the 15th inning Wednesday night at press time. It was already the longest game in Glens Falls history, though the Phillies had played a 17-inning game less than a week ago.

With the score tied at 5 going into extra innings, Glens Falls finally broke through in the top of the 14th, getting to Phillies reliever Casper Wells. A leadoff walk to Brad Beatty was followed by a bunt attempt by Tommy Hill, but Wells threw high to second trying to get the lead runner, putting two on with nobody out.

After a ground out and a bloop single by Jeremy Goldschmeding, Golden Eagles center fielder Terry Blunt ripped a two-run double to left-center field, giving Glens Falls a 7-5 edge. But for the second time Wednesday, Saratoga staged an improbable rally in the bottom of the inning.

An RBI single by Jeff Nichols off reliever Joel Boeschen cut the deficit to 7-6. Then two batters later, with the bases loaded, Gill Kim just beat out a potential game-ending double play grounder, allowing Nichols to score the tying run.

Saratoga had already rallied in the bottom of the eighth, erasing a 5-1 Glens Falls lead. Golden Eagles starter Jim Jansen was throwing a gem until the eighth, allowing two hits. Tim Henry doubled in one run to cut the deficit to 5-2, then an RBI single by Kim brought the game to 5-3. With the crowd coming alive, Saratoga's Kaleb Mangum greeted Eagles reliever Randy Cornejo with a triple into right-center field. Wells capped the rally with a sacrifice fly.

The game was meaningless to the Eagles, who have already clinched a playoff spot, but the Phillies still need to make the playoffs.